GSE 08-26 eir Subsistence Agreement 2026 – 2028
02/November/2026
Description
Following further direct discussions with the company on the union’s claim for an increase in the subsistence rates, the National Executive Council has approved revised terms outlined below. The agreement significantly improves the proposal by the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) which was rejected previously.
The agreement will run from 1 January 2026 to 31 December 2028, with the first increase backdated to 1 January 2026.
The agreed increases are as follows:
| June 2025 Rate | 1 Jan 2026 | 1 July 2026 | 1 July 2027 | 1 Jan 2028 | Weekly Increase
from Jan 2028 |
|
| Category 1 | €16.29 | 3% | 3% | 3% | 2.8% | €10 |
| Category 2 | €12.89 | 3% | 3.5% | 4% | 4.2% | €10 |
The agreement provides for:
- A €10 per week increase in Day-Rate subsistence payments by the end of the agreement
- The first 3% increase to be backdated to 1 January 2026
- Further increases to apply on 1 July 2026 (backdated), 1 July 2027 and 1 January 2028
- Night Subsistence will increase at the same rates as Category 1 over the duration of the agreement
- Managers’ Vouched Expenses will increase at the same rates as Category 2 over the duration of the agreement
- The final increase will apply from 1 January 2028, with the agreement running until 31 December 2028
The Union will now engage with the company regarding implementation of the agreement, including the payment of the applicable backdated increases.
Please bring this circular to the attention of members in your branch.